Post Office Time Deposit Calculator (PO TD / PO FD)

A Post Office Fixed Deposit (FD), officially known as a National Savings Time Deposit Account, allows you to invest a lump sum for a fixed period and earn interest at a government-notified rate. A Post Office FD Calculator helps you estimate the interest earned and the maturity amount based on your deposit, tenure, and applicable interest rate.

Whether you are saving for a future expense, building a low-risk savings plan, or comparing deposit options for retirement, a Post Office FD calculator can help you understand the potential returns before investing.

What is a Post Office FD Calculator?

A Post Office FD Calculator is an online tool that estimates the returns from a fixed deposit opened under the Post Office Time Deposit scheme. You enter the deposit amount, select the tenure, and use the applicable interest rate to estimate the maturity value.

The calculator can help you understand:

• Investment amount: The lump sum you deposit.
• Interest earned: The estimated interest over the selected tenure.
• Maturity amount: The principal and applicable interest payable at maturity.
• Tenure comparison: How returns may differ across one-, two-, three-, and five-year deposits.

For example, if you invest ₹1 lakh in a five-year Post Office Time Deposit at 7.5% per annum, the calculator can estimate your returns under the scheme's interest rules. The final amount depends on the applicable rate and the scheme's prescribed calculation method.

How Does a Post Office FD Calculator Work?

A Post Office FD calculator uses your investment amount, selected tenure, and applicable interest rate to estimate the interest and maturity proceeds.

Follow the general process:

1. Enter the deposit amount: Add the lump sum you want to invest.
2. Choose the tenure: Select one, two, three, or five years.
3. Enter or select the interest rate: Use the rate applicable to your chosen tenure.
4. Calculate the return: The calculator estimates the interest and maturity amount.
5. Compare different tenures: Change the duration to see how the potential returns differ.

The Post Office Time Deposit scheme has different rates for different tenures. A longer tenure does not automatically mean a higher rate, so check the rate for the specific period you choose.

What Is the Post Office FD Calculator Formula?

The formula depends on the scheme's interest calculation and payout rules. For a general fixed deposit with quarterly compounding, the commonly used formula is:

Where:

• A = Estimated maturity amount
• P = Initial deposit
• r = Annual interest rate expressed as a decimal
• t = Investment period in years
• 4 = Four quarterly compounding periods in a year

Example: If ₹1,00,000 is invested at 7.5% per annum for five years, the formula gives an indicative maturity value of approximately ₹1,44,995.

This is a general quarterly-compounding illustration, not a guaranteed Post Office Time Deposit maturity quote. The scheme's interest is calculated quarterly and paid annually; its prescribed rules may produce a different maturity amount. Use a scheme-specific calculator for the final estimate.

Types of Post Office FD Schemes

India Post offers National Savings Time Deposit accounts for four fixed tenures.

Deposit tenure	Published annual interest rate
1 year	6.9%
2 years	7.0%
3 years	7.1%
5 years	7.5%

These rates apply to the October–December 2026 quarter according to the published National Savings Scheme rate table. The government reviews small savings rates periodically, so verify the rate before opening an account.

The five-year Time Deposit may qualify for a deduction under Section 80C under the old tax regime, subject to the applicable rules. Interest is taxable according to the prevailing tax provisions.

Factors Influencing Post Office FD Earnings

Your Post Office FD returns depend on several factors.

Factor	How it affects your returns
Deposit amount	A larger deposit generally earns more interest at the same rate and tenure.
Interest rate	The rate applicable to the selected tenure determines the interest calculation.
Investment tenure	The period determines how long the money remains invested and which scheme rate applies.
Interest calculation rules	The scheme's compounding and payout method affects the maturity value.
Premature closure	Closing an account early may reduce the interest payable under the scheme's rules.
Tax treatment	Tax on interest can reduce your effective post-tax return.

Before investing, compare the expected return with your financial goals, the need for liquidity, and the tax implications.

How to Use the Post Office FD Calculator Online?

Using a Post Office FD Calculator online is simple.

1. Enter your investment amount. Choose the amount you plan to deposit.
2. Select the FD tenure. Choose one, two, three, or five years.
3. Check the interest rate. Ensure the rate matches the selected tenure and applicable quarter.
4. Calculate your return. View the estimated interest and maturity amount.
5. Compare alternatives. Repeat the calculation for other tenures or deposit amounts.

For example, you can compare a three-year deposit with a five-year deposit to understand how the rate and investment period affect the expected return.

Key Features of Post Office FD

The Post Office Time Deposit scheme has several features that make it worth considering for planned savings:

• Fixed tenure options: Choose from one, two, three, or five years.
• Government-notified interest rates: Rates are published under the small savings scheme framework.
• Lump-sum investment: Deposit a one-time amount rather than making monthly contributions.
• Defined maturity: The account has a specified maturity date based on its tenure.
• Multiple accounts: Eligible investors can open more than one account, subject to scheme rules.
• Joint accounts: Joint account options are available under the prescribed conditions.
• Transfer facility: Accounts can be transferred between eligible post offices, subject to procedure.
• Tax benefit on eligible five-year deposits: The five-year deposit may qualify under Section 80C under the old tax regime, subject to conditions.

Check the latest India Post rules for eligibility, deposit requirements, premature closure, and account operations.

How to Calculate Interest on Post Office FD?

To estimate Post Office FD interest, you need the deposit amount, tenure, and applicable interest rate. The calculation must follow the scheme's interest rules rather than assuming that every FD compounds and pays interest in the same way.

For illustration, consider a deposit of ₹1 lakh for one year at 6.9% per annum.

Detail	Value
Initial deposit	₹1,00,000
Annual interest rate	6.9%
Tenure	1 year
Approximate annual interest	₹6,900
Principal plus indicative interest	₹1,06,900

Illustrative figures before tax. The actual payout and maturity amount depend on the scheme's prescribed calculation method and applicable terms.

The Post Office FD Calculator simplifies the process by applying the inputs and showing an estimated result. Always use the exact tenure-specific rate and confirm the maturity calculation with India Post.

Post Office FD Investment Rules

Before opening a Post Office Time Deposit account, review these general rules:

Rule	Details
Minimum deposit	₹1,000
Additional deposit amount	Generally in multiples of ₹100
Maximum deposit	No scheme-wide maximum is specified in the standard Time Deposit rules
Available tenures	1, 2, 3, and 5 years
Interest calculation	Calculated quarterly and paid annually under scheme rules
Premature closure	Subject to prescribed conditions and interest adjustments
Account types	Individual and eligible joint accounts
Transfer	Permitted between post offices under the applicable procedure
Tax benefit	Eligible five-year deposits may qualify under Section 80C under the old tax regime
Tax on interest	Interest is taxable under applicable income tax rules

Premature closure is subject to restrictions. In general, a Time Deposit cannot be closed before six months from the date of deposit. Closure after six months but before one year may result in interest being paid at the applicable Post Office Savings Account rate rather than the contracted Time Deposit rate. Additional conditions apply to closure after one year. Check the current scheme rules before making an early withdrawal.

Post Office Fixed Deposit Interest Rates – 2026

The published Post Office Time Deposit rates for October–December 2026 are:

Tenure	Interest rate per annum
1 year	6.9%
2 years	7.0%
3 years	7.1%
5 years	7.5%

These are government-notified small savings rates, not promotional offers. Rates may be revised from one quarter to another, and the rate applicable to your account depends on the scheme rules and deposit date. Confirm the current rate through India Post's official savings page before investing.

Comparison of Top 20 Scheduled Banks Based on FD Rates

Bank FD rates vary by tenure, deposit amount, customer category, and special offers. The table below provides an indicative comparison of selected bank FD rates for October 2026, using published comparison data for regular customers. These are not necessarily the highest special-tenure rates, and rates may change at short notice.

Bank	1-year FD	3-year FD	5-year FD
Suryoday Small Finance Bank	7.25%	7.25%	8.25%
Jana Small Finance Bank	7.00%	8.00%	7.77%
ESAF Small Finance Bank	6.00%	6.00%	5.75%
Utkarsh Small Finance Bank	6.00%	7.50%	7.00%
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank	7.25%	7.25%	7.20%
Shivalik Small Finance Bank	6.00%	7.50%	6.25%
Equitas Small Finance Bank	7.10%	7.10%	7.00%
Bandhan Bank	7.00%	7.25%	5.85%
DCB Bank	6.90%	7.00%	7.50%
RBL Bank	6.90%	7.00%	6.70%
Capital Small Finance Bank	7.00%	7.00%	6.90%
SBM Bank India	7.10%	7.10%	7.00%
AU Small Finance Bank	6.35%	7.40%	6.75%
Central Bank of India	6.10%	6.00%	6.00%
YES Bank	6.65%	7.00%	6.75%
IndusInd Bank	6.75%	7.00%	6.65%
Unity Small Finance Bank	7.50%	6.75%	6.75%
Federal Bank	6.25%	6.50%	6.40%
Bank of India	6.50%	6.70%	6.00%
HDFC Bank	6.25%	6.45%	6.40%

How does the Post Office FD compare? Its published rates are 6.9% for one year, 7.0% for two years, 7.1% for three years, and 7.5% for five years. Compare these with bank rates for the same tenure rather than relying only on a bank's advertised maximum. Also consider premature withdrawal rules, tax treatment, and applicable deposit protection.

Benefits of Using Post Office Fixed Deposit Calculator

A Post Office Fixed Deposit Calculator can help you make more informed savings decisions before committing your money.

• Estimate maturity value: Understand the approximate amount you may receive at the end of the selected tenure.
• Compare investment periods: Evaluate the rates and returns for one-, two-, three-, and five-year deposits.
• Plan financial goals: Match a deposit's maturity date with an upcoming expense.
• Compare deposit amounts: Check how investing a different amount changes the potential interest.
• Understand interest earnings: Separate the original deposit from the interest earned.
• Save time: Calculate returns without performing the calculations manually.
• Support retirement planning: Compare Post Office FD returns with other fixed-income options, including bank deposits.

A calculator provides an estimate, not a guarantee of post-tax returns. Review the applicable rate, scheme rules, and tax treatment before investing.

Conclusion

A Post Office FD Calculator helps you estimate the potential interest and maturity amount from a fixed deposit under the National Savings Time Deposit scheme. By comparing tenures and applicable interest rates, you can plan savings around your financial goals and expected cash requirements.

Before investing, confirm the latest Post Office FD interest rate, premature closure conditions, and tax implications. Compare the scheme with bank fixed deposits for the same tenure, considering both the returns and the terms that matter to you.